NASHVILLE – Mike Vrabel is out as head coach for the Tennessee Titans.
Now, the search will begin for his replacement.
The reaction came in fast and furious after Tuesday’s news.
Some hated it, some celebrated it.
I’ll do my best to reply to some of the questions, and comments, although I know some wrote in just to vent.
Randy Wilson from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Thank you for all you do. I have been reading you for decades, since your time at the Tennessean.
I have been a Titans fan since they were called the Tennessee Oilers. I rooted for them when they were in Memphis counting down to the day that we would be able to support them in our city, Nashville, TN.
One of my best friends watched Steve McNair in person at Titans stadium, after loud boos, come back on the field and single-handedly put the team on his back. He made unreal plays and sacrificed his body to beat the Bengals 36-35. McNair became my favorite sports figure that Sunday, and I became among the Titans suggest fan. From that moment on, I rarely missed a snap.
That was a day I will never forget. So is January 8, 2024, but for much different reasons.
We had the best coach in the NFL, one who, with some support from an arrogant and deceitful front office, could have won championships for this town. He was the Coach of the Year in 2021. He often won games we didn’t have the personnel to win. On January 8th, he became unemployed.
Not for long though.
We had a roster that competed despite an O line that was weak, depleted and injured the entire season. He had an oft injured qb, and then a rookie qb for the whole season.
We as a fan base were disappointed in the season but knew that we had found a potential franchise QB, a solid core defense, the best coach in the NFL, and hope. Hope for the future.
That hope is not only gone, the reality is that I hate the Titans today, and I will never, not ever, root for the titans again.
I don’t care if the Titans go to the Super Bowl next year, which isn’t very likely. I have rooted for the Titans for the last time.
I will root against them with more fervor than I rooted against Tom Brady and the Patriots, and that’s a lot. I will root for whatever team Mike Vrabel ends up coaching for, even if it IS the Patriots.
I hate the Titans almost as much as I hate the insanity going on in our city, and our country. It might just be a reflection of that. God forbid we have a coach that demands excellence from his players, and character from the people he surrounds himself with. That asks for accountability and responsibility from those he chooses to associate with.
We wouldn’t want a coach that is called a “leader of men” by the very people who play for him. Would we? Why WOULDNT we fire the head coach that players say makes them want to run through brick walls for him?!
Yesterday , I loved the Titans, and was excited about what the future held. Today, I hate the Titans with every fiber of my being. I assure you, I am NOT alone. Not by a long shot.
Thanks for your time Jim. I know you are an “team” guy now, and can’t voice your true opinion anymore, and that’s sucks. But I’ll do it for you because I know you must feel the same way. And thank you for all you have done for “the fans”. Or former fans.
Jim: Hi Randy. First off, thanks for reading all these years. Time has flown by since I started covering this franchise way back in 1999, sporting bangs and a mullet. I was a young man then. In the 25 years since, I’ve seen a lot, from hirings and firings to wins and losses to untimely deaths of players, coaches and others in the organization. I go back to the Bud Adams, Steve McNair, Eddie George days. In the last part of your submission, you noted I’m a “team guy” now, and that’s true. And, because of that, there are things I know I can’t say, or I might get fired like Mike Vrabel. But I always try to be honest, and don’t try and “spin” things, like some think, or suggest, I do. So, here’s a little bit of what I’m thinking after this news: I like Mike Vrabel. I think he’s a good football coach, and a good man. He’s as competitive, and wants to win, as much as anyone I’ve ever been around. He’s a great teacher, demands excellence from his players, and he’s widely respected because he’s earned it. He’s been an upstanding member of the community, doing a lot of great things off the field. He has a great family. He’s had success here on the football field, and I truly think if he’d kept his job, there’s a good chance he could have righted the ship. And, as irritable as he appeared to be, I always thought his intentions were good, and he wasn’t the jerk he might’ve looked like at times. He’s just wound tight, and he’s all about football and winning. He’ll be missed by a lot of people around here. I also think he’ll get another job, and predict he’ll do well. With all that said, he wasn’t perfect, and I think he’d admit it. And, when I caught wind this move was taking place, I can’t say I was shocked, because I get it. The Titans have lost 18 of the last 24 games under his watch. I’ve said in this mailbag many times this season the team underachieved. Instead of winning close games on a consistent basis, his teams had been finding ways to lose them. The Titans have led the NFL in players used the past few years because of all the injuries, something Vrabel, or the franchise, hasn’t been figured out. Yes, it’s football, and I know guys get hurt, but it’s been at a dizzying pace. And, let’s face it, as much as prior GM Jon Robinson has been bashed around here since his departure, he gave Vrabel and his staff a roster in 2021 that was the AFC’s No.1 seed, and built to win the Super Bowl. Under Vrabel’s watch, that didn’t happen. Take the easy route and blame it on Tannehill for the three picks, but that Titans team blew a golden opportunity and should’ve won the Super Bowl. For one reason or another, things have spiraled down since. Last offseason, Vrabel made some changes on his staff, he had more of a say in the roster building, and things didn’t get better. Now, the franchise heads into the offseason with a boatload of cap space, and a high draft pick. If Amy Adams Strunk had decided to give Vrabel another year and didn’t get the desired results in 2024, and then decided to fire him at that point, then the franchise would’ve spent all that money and picks for a new coach who might have a different plan. I think about all this, while acknowledging there might also be some other behind the scenes things that led to the divorce. I get right now a lot of fans, like yourself, are frustrated and upset, unsure about what’s next. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some concerns moving forward, and, as you mentioned, I work for the team. But I’m keeping the faith. And, before you abandon ship, as someone who has followed sports and stayed loyal to all my childhood teams, I can only suggest that you sit back and see who the next coach is, and give him a chance like you gave Jeff Fisher, Mike Munchak, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Mularkey, or Mike Vrabel. Some of these past hirings, of course, didn’t work at all. But I do know some good candidates are out there, and I can guarantee you the owner and Ran Carthon and everyone else around here wants to win. No one is happy with where the franchise is right now, but the optimist in me can envision better days ahead. I can’t make any promises about what’s going to happen next, because no one knows for sure. The NFL is full of surprises. Did you have the Texans winning the AFC South this year after finishing 3-13-1 a year ago? All I can say is hang in there, Randy, and thanks for writing in.
Chad Bamsch from Gallatin, Tennessee
Question: Hello Mr Jim. Appreciate all that you do for the team. Something I don’t understand is why constantly firing a coach is going to make the team better when it only hurts the team because they have to put faith and trust in another leader. What’s your thoughts on this seems like it ruins the momentum?
Jim: I get the concern. Best case scenario is you get a guy like Bill Belichick or Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh or Pete Carroll and you stick with them through the ups and downs. The Titans had that in Jeff Fisher, and they’re still looking for that in a new coach. For a while I thought that guy was going to be Vrabel myself. He had six years. Now, it’s someone else’s turn.
Mary Holleman from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: My husband and I are totally ticked at the firing of coach Vrabel!!!!! It was not his fault that he had to deal with injured players!!! I’m not even sure we’ll watch them anymore!! Please pass this on…
Jim: Will pass along, Mary.
Greg Stauffer from Charlotte, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim, as always love your work, I check it out everyday! Wow! Varbel firing is big deal. But I have a completely different view on the Titans situation. I am originally from St Louis MO. I watched the St. Louis Cardinals move to AZ. I watched the St. Louis Rams move LA. Both with what I would classify as greedy bad owners! So the Titans fans are absolutely blessed to have a great owner in AAS. Her decision on Vrabel may be great or it may not. Time will tell. Bottom line AAS is invested in Nashville and that is the most important thing. I am excited about the future for the Titans. Promising young QB, great draft positions, lots of cap space, new stadium on the way, and a new coach and staff coming. Titans fans relax, have faith! BTW I am a retired LTC and the Leadership is a combat multiplier. AAS showed decisive leadership! TITAN UP!
Jim: Appreciate it, Greg. A lot of opinions in here, and love hearing all sides.
Morris Lewis from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Not a question, but a statement: I’m not renewing my season tickets. I am a charter season ticket holder whose name is on the big board of the people who bought PSLs back in 1999/2000, so this is a big deal. I have stuck with the Titans through some pretty lousy coaches, and now they fire a guy who is going to be listed among the greats someday. The team never gave up on him – as the last few games have proven. Amy Strunk can run her team the way she sees fit, but I am not going to waste $3000+/year on tickets and who knows how much for PSLs in the new stadium. Thanks for listening, Jim.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Morris. My parents (Randall and Kay Wyatt) are on the big board at Nissan Stadium, too.
Stephen Turner from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: A big Titans fan here and I am greatly saddened by the coaching change.
Do the Titans really believe they are going to get an upgrade from Mike Vrabel?
This will be a very difficult decision to explain if it does not work out for them.
I sincerely hope it does and that there is a plan ready to go, but it’s hard to understand why they’d make such a quick decision.
Jim: Time will tell, Stephen. Again, I like Vrabel. But let’s not ignore the fact the franchise has won two playoff games in the past six years. The owner wants more, and I get it. If the Titans whiff on this hiring, you’re right, it’s going to set the franchise back.
Jeffery Raney from Pittsburg, Texas
Question: First off thank you Jim for your reporting I think you do a great job of being discreet when needed and sharing when its appropriate. I would like to thank Mike for his work and dedication to the Titans. Mike will land on his feet and be a great head coach if not sooner or later. I was wondering what this means for the rest of the coaching staff? I did not really agree with Mike’s apparent reluctance to hire from outside the organization key coaching positions and coordinator positions. I hope whoever the organization hires that they are open to new ideas when changes need to be made.
Jim: Appreciate it, Jeffery. The assistant coaches remain under contract. The next head will have the option of retaining them if he chooses. The coaches will also have the option to take another job if one is offered. I suspect some will stay, but most will go elsewhere, because that’s usually the way it goes.
Nico Beckers from Bonn, Germany
Question: Hi Jim. I just read that the Titans fired Vrabel and I am pretty shocked! I was totally expecting him to be back (the other thing I was pretty sure about is, that we would let Tannehill go (even though I liked him a lot as our QB, but it looks like we have a pretty good, young and fresh replacement in Levis and that’s the business part of the game) and I thought the most surprising thing that could happen would be, that we wouldn’t resign king Henry. Now I’m very pessimistic about the Titans’ future. Being a fan for a long time now, I feel like Vrabel was the first apt HC we had since Fisher (and I liked Vrabel a lot more). Now I am afraid that it will take us another 10 years until we find a good HC again, while Vrabel will beat us with his new team (that just needs a better Oline than ours). Maybe I should just switch to whoever hires Vrabel (most likely a joke 🙂 but that’s how much I am disappointed by that move). Hopefully Amy’s vision comes true, but I’m not seeing it right now. Best regards.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in, Nico. I get the o-line was bad, and it needs to be better. Let’s not ignore the fact Vrabel was responsible for putting the starting five out there, and involved in the construction of the group during the offseason. Not saying it’s all his fault it has underperformed, but he’s not completely innocent in all this. Just saying.
Beau Siddens from Covington, Indiana
Question: Jim. Thank you for a great year. Just heard about Vrabes. I know it’s business and I would bet 14M he will be going to New England in less than a month. If Carthon doesn’t resign Henry, I don’t know if I will continue to be a Titans fan any longer. I know Henry is expensive, but he has also earned a career spot on this team. I want to root for a team that has a core belief system, which I believe they have since Vrabel showed up. I’m very discouraged at the news. Who would you like to see take his place?
Thanks again for all you do for us fans and potentially former fans.
Jim: I need to see the list of potential candidates first, Beau.
Leonard Cooke from Jacksonville, Florida
Question: Oohhhh My God!! I can’t believe what I just read